Hassan Hamdy (Ellis Kaplan)
Noel Polanco (Facebook)
A Queens grand jury today declined to indict a NYPD cop who gunned down an unarmed National Guardsman last year, authorities said.
The jury returned a no true bill in the case against ESU cop Hassan Hamdy, who shot Noel Polanco in October during a traffic stop on the Grand Central Parkway, a law-enforcement source said.
“The family of Noel Polanco is extremely disappointed, the Queens Grand jury did not vote to indict the Police Officer who shot and killed him,” said Polanco family lawyer Sanford Rubenstein. “The family will in the near future meet with their advisors to determine the best way to move forward in their quest for justice.
The cop testified two weeks ago before the panel for three hours — and at the end, he made a statement expressing his condolences to the Polanco family.
“This office conducted a thorough, complete and independent investigation into all of the facts and circumstances surrounding Mr. Polanco’s death,” said Queens DA Richard Brown.
Detectives’ Endowment Association President Michael Palladino said, “I was cautiously optimistic that there would be no indictment. 23 grand jurors thoroughly examined the evidence and concluded that no crime was committed. I am sure that they took into consideration that Polanco was intoxicated and contributed to what happened. I am sure that our detective was relieved because it was never his intention to either commit a crime or kill anyone.”
Hamdy, with the Emergency Services Unit, pulled over Polanco for speeding and erratic driving on Oct. 4. The 22-year-old Guardsman refused to show his hands and “lunged from the bottom of the car with both of his hands,” his lawyer said earlier this month.
But Polanco’s front-seat passenger maintained he kept his hands on the wheel the whole time. No weapons were found in the car.
“Detective Hamdy is extremely relieved by today’s decision,” said his attorney, Phil Karasyk. “No police officer ever wants to be faced with such a life or death split-second decision. It stays with them forever.”
Hamdy was not placed on modified assignment after the shooting, but he isn’t working on the street, a source close the cop said.